Skip to main content

Controlled Nuclear Fusion Current Research and Potential Progress (1978) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

CONCLUSIONS
Pages 33-36

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 33...
... The principal concern revolves around capital cost, minimum plant output, plant availability, plant complexity, and environmental characteristics. A reasonable approach to developing fusion power involves at least the following elements of a program plan: l.
Read the entire page →
From page 34...
... To demonstrate the practical value of fusion and encourage industrial participation, fusion systems with useful outputs should be developed in the smallest possible size at the earliest possible date. The move to pilot-plant-scale experiments, for purposes of scaling eventually to commercial size reactors, should not be attempted, however, until a greater level of understanding is reached in the areas of confinement plasma physics and materials properties.
Read the entire page →
From page 35...
... l500 MWe startup power required for a particular 840 MWe mirror unit) , increased cooling requirements resulting from large circulating power, energy storage for cyclic operation, remote maintenance in the presence of high background radiation inherent to fusion reactors, additional complexity as witnessed in several early designs, imprecise knowledge of reactor control and safety handling, and so forth.
Read the entire page →
From page 36...
... . The conclusion we are prompted to reach at this point is that with gradually improved scientific understanding and technological advance, achievable in a vigorously supported program, fusion, with its multiple approaches and techniques will appear continuously more attractive as an ultimate long-range solution to the energy problem.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • fusion reactor
  • reactor designs
  • scientific feasibility
  • magnetic confinement
  • inertial confinement

  • fusion reactors
  • materials properties
  • confinement schemes
  • safety handling
  • mwe mirror

  • realistic appraisal
  • plant output
  • energy field
  • realistic preliminary
  • technological advance

  • imprecise knowledge
  • development deserves
  • earliest date
  • hold unique
  • increased cooling

  • cooling requirements
  • reactor physics
  • minimum plant
  • estimates indicate
  • start requirements

  • demonstration unit
  • approaches promising
  • remote maintenance
  • engineering experience
  • gradually improved


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.